30+ Years of Dealership & Manufacturer Expertise - Approved Academy
30+ Years of Expert Retail Dealer Operations and Manufacturer Experience - Approved Course
3.8 Other Transfer Requirements
Beyond the title itself, several other documents and requirements must be satisfied when transferring a vehicle. These include smog certification (unless the vehicle is exempt), odometer disclosure statements, the Report of Sale filed electronically, applicable fees and taxes, and any required disclosure documents like the Buyers Guide and warranty information.
For retail sales, you’ll also need to provide the buyer with a copy of the completed sales contract, any financing documents, the Bill of Rights Kit for qualifying used vehicles, and any other disclosures required by law. The deal jacket for each transaction should contain copies of every document related to the sale — this is your record-keeping obligation, and it’s what DMV will review during an audit.
For wholesale transfers between dealers, the documentation requirements are somewhat different. You don’t need a Buyers Guide for wholesale transactions, and smog certification is not required for wholesale transfers between licensed dealers. However, you still need proper title transfer documentation, odometer disclosure (unless the vehicle is exempt), and a Report of Sale.